Talking to the enemy
You may have already read our interview on JetsFan.com. If not, please click the link below to read the interview.
We also asked them a series of questions. Here are their answers to the questions that we posed to them.
Steelers Today: The New York media has been hard on Mark Sanchez at times. Obviously, he has led the Jets to the AFC Championship. But how would you summarize his season overall? What are his strengths, and what are his weaknesses?
Jets Fan: Sanchez has had a pretty good season. In his first two years he has sometimes been the victim of his own success. When he gets on a roll Brian Schottenheimer expands the offense for him but then he struggles and throws interceptions. He thrives in the short, rhythm passing game but still has work to do on his deep balls. He is not very accurate on throws beyond 15 yards. Sanchez is going to be a good one but people forget how young he is. He is not only a second year player but he came out as a junior from USC and only had 16 starts there so he really has not played a ton of football. His strengths are his intelligence, leadership skills, competitiveness and his ability to throw on the run. His weaknesses are his accuracy and ability to read defenses.
Steelers Today: How have New York fans accepted Santonio Holmes? Is he recognized as an emerging star on the team, or are they still expecting more from him?
Jets Fan: The reception for Holmes has been mostly positive. He singlehandedly won four games for the Jets this year, which was huge. But he’s also made some boneheaded plays as well. He dropped an easy touchdown in the end zone vs. Miami , committed costly turnovers in two other games and will dog his routes at times and miss blocks. He is loaded with talent but has lapses in concentration that lead to mistakes. He is an up and down player but seems to make plays when the team needs them most and that, more than anything, has endeared him to Jets fans.
Steelers Today: Which match-up do you think will have the greatest impact on the game?
Jets Fan: I’m going to say Mike Wallace vs. Antonio Cromartie. Wallace is the Steelers’ best receiver and it is clear he and Roethlisberger have good chemistry together. If these two hook up on some big plays, it will be a long day for the Jets’ defense. Cromartie did an okay job vs. him in the last match up and some of Wallace’s catches actually came against other Jets’ defenders. I think Roethlisberger will try and attack Cromartie who can be inconsistent with his technique at times.
Steelers Today: If you could replace one offensive player from the Jets with his Steelers counterpart, who would you take and why? Similarly, if you could replace one Jets defensive player with his Steelers counterpart, who would it be why?
Jets Fan: On offense it would be LG Matt Slauson. He has been pretty good in his first year as a starter but is not nearly as accomplished as Chris Kemoeatu. The Jets actually tried to sign him away from the Steelers two years ago but of course were unsuccessful. On defense, that’s easy – Troy Polamalu. I don’t know too many defenses that wouldn’t want a guy like him. Brodney Pool has been a little disappointing in his first year with the Jets. Meanwhile Polamalu is arguably the best player at his position. He is a dynamic playmaker who instantly upgrades the Steelers’ defense every time he is on the field.
Steelers Today: What is your prediction for the game?
Jets Fan: I think the Jets are going to win. I know the Steelers are favored and have home field advantage but the Jets are a good road team and are not intimidated by their surroundings or the magnitude of a game like this. The Steelers are more battle-tested and have much more experience playing on the big stage but I think the Jets want this one more and in the end, that will be the difference.
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